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Toma winners

Drew Miller, Ed.D.
Brentsville School District Turfgrass Management Program

2023 George Toma "Golden Rake" Award Winner

Drew Miller, Ed.D., is the Brentsville Turfgrass Management program director at Brentsville District High School in Nokesville, VA. He is a former groundskeeper at the collegiate and professional level. In his current role, he has developed the premier high school turfgrass management, where he is bringing the next generation of sports field managers. He is using his blueprint to develop high school turfgrass management programs across the United States to bring awareness to this incredible industry. Drew has made significant contributions to the sports field management industry. He has been in the Sports Field industry for over twenty years providing superior athletic fields to the Mid-Atlantic area. These fields have ranged from collegiate “Field of the Year” winners, premier regional tournament facilities, high school fields, and parks and recreation fields.

His involvement has spanned local, regional and national activities. A rare combination of turfgrass professional and academic, Drew has been recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and passion. His membership in SFMA began in 2014, and he has been involved with association activities from the very beginning. From speaking at the national conferences, to serving on the conference education committee, and educating future professionals, his impact is long lasting. he is held in high esteem not only by his sports field management colleagues, but by his current and former students.

Previous George Toma "Golden Rake" Award Recipients

Year Award Winner
2023 Drew Miller, Ed.D., Brentsville School District Turfgrass Management Program
2022 Jesse Driver, CSFM, Mid-Atlantic Turf, Inc.
2021 Steve Bush, CSFM, CFB, Bush Sports Turf (IL) (awarded posthumously)
2020 Tim Van Loo, CSFM, Iowa State
2019 Kim Heck, CAE, Sports Turf Managers Association
2018 Abby McNeal, CSFM, CPRP, Denver City and County Parks Department (CO)
2017 Dan Bergstrom, CSFM, BBVA Compass Stadium
2016 Bruce Suddeth, University of South Carolina Upstate (SC)
2015 Ben Polimer, Town of Weston (MA)
2014 Mike Albino, Ballard Sports, Syracuse (NY)
2013 Matt Tobin, Pioneer Athletics, Saco (ME)
2012 Michael Boettcher, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Milwaukee (WI)
2011 Tom Nielsen, Louisville Bats Baseball Club, Louisville (KY)
2010 Mel Lanford, Retired from University of Texas, Austin (TX)
2009 Craig Potts, Texas A&M University, College Station (TX)
2008 David Reiss, Wasatch County School District, Heber City (UT)
2007 Tony Diaz, Waukegan Park District (IL)
2006 Todd Jeansonne, Louisiana State University and Jeff Kershaw, West Baton Rouge Parrish School
2005 Jim Wiggins, Tomball ISD, Tomball (TX)
2004 Kevin Meredith, National Soccer Hall of Fame (NY)
2003 James Crawford, McFarland Schools (WI)
2002 Jesse Cuevas, Rosenblatt Stadium (NE)
2001 Terry Nance, Cape Fear High School (NC)
2000 Connie Rudolph, CSFM, Midway Stadium (MN)
1999 Boyd (Rob) Montgomery, Sylvania Recreation (OH)
1998 Don Kelly, City of Rocky River (OH)
1997 Timothy Burke, Town of Bethel (CT)

* Facility listed is where employed at time of award. Check Directory for current listing